The effectiveness of the Syrian Interim Government (SIG) has always come under strong question in regard to its ability to govern, especially after it failed disastrously to administer Idlib in 2017. In the course of that period, internal fighting between different groups, including HTS, emerged, which objectively worsened the situation, leaving the population without even the most basic needs for life.
Apparently, in the course of of 2017 the SIG failed to take full control over Idlib province, which can be described as an area filled with various forms of rebels and local councils. They had no clear state and military command and control and an ineffective and inconsistent fractious governance policy led to a state of systematic dysfunction. These fundamental needs like clean water, electrical power, and appropriate medical care were at some point ceased causing worsening off the quality of life of the populace. The lack of good governance also led to further vacum that helped radical groups to take hegemony and escalate the situation more in the region.
The fighting of factions, especially the between HTS and other rebel groups, weakened the position of the SIG. Due to HTS’s rapid expansion, and efforts to seize control of the opposition’s political mobilisation, causing violent conflict among the opposition forces, which disorganised and weakened the entire united opposition forces. This internal conflict sucked energies and focus away from the administrative and delivery of functions to the structures and the civilian populace suffered the rampage that came with it.
It would follow that long-term consequences accrued from the SIG’s failure to attain a stable mode of operational administration in Idlib. The absence of efficient governance structures and authority power, proved that HTS has tightened its grip on the area. In November 2017, HTS did support the establishment of the Syrian Salvation Government (SSG), even more weakening the position of the SIG and recreating challenges for the development of a single-opposition front.
The problems encountered by the SIG in Idlib were not just individual casuations but part of system failures in the organiztion. Lack of resources, poor international support and internal conflict limited its capacity to perform its function as a government agency. Many of these problems indicated a lack of the necessary strategies by the SIG on how to govern liberated territories and properly address the Syrian population needs.
It means that despite some enhancements made to the SIG’s working model during the past years, its failures in Idlib remain relevant at the very moment when Syria is entering a new political stage. To prevent such a situation from recurring in the future, the attempts are made to concentrate on the issues being critical for the new interim government which might include such points as the non-internal divisions, special governing bodies’ legislative measures and the provision of the community basic needs. Experience is important for the SIG to be trusted by the Syrian population and for the proper management of the state’s affairs in the future.
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